Communication
Contact the Junior School
Teacher Communication
Emailing or sending a message via Compass are acceptable forms of communication for parents wishing to provide teachers with a message or ask a question. Teachers will respond to messages within 48 hours on school days.
We value communication about your child. If there is a need to speak to your child’s teacher regarding any matter, please make an appointment via email. Trying to speak to a teacher before school without notice is often problematic therefore, making a specific appointment is a more effective form of communication.
Absences
At Overnewton, we value the important role that regular school attendance plays in supporting both learning and wellbeing. Research shows that even short breaks in routine can influence progress, which is why we recommend that students avoid taking extended holidays during term time where possible.
When a student is absent, a parent or guardian must send an Attendance Note via Compass.
We also recognise that, from time to time, family circumstances may mean a child is away from school for an extended period. In these situations, we encourage families to contact their child’s Head of School ahead of time so that we can provide the best possible support.
Wearable Devices
Wearable devices such as smart watches are permitted however they must be turned off between 8.50am and 3.25pm.
For urgent messages or concerns, parents should contact Junior School Reception, First Aid, teachers or leaders. Any important messages for your child should be sent to Junior School Reception to ensure they are received before dismissal at 3.25pm.
Supporting a Love of Reading at Home
Each week, your child will bring home a selection of books chosen specifically for reading practice and enjoyment. These books are intentionally selected at a level your child has already mastered. The purpose of the selected books is not to stretch or challenge your child, but rather to reinforce and consolidate the skills they are developing in the classroom. It is not an expectation that parents teach reading at home; this is the role of our expert teachers, who carefully guide each child’s progress through targeted instruction at school.
In Prep, the Home Reading Program also includes practising the reading of High Frequency Words to support the building of vocabulary and word recognition. This promotes the ability to read and write with greater fluency and confidence.
Staying Connected to Learning
Communication with our families is an essential element to the success of our partnership. To assist this process, and to ensure you remain informed, at the start of each week you will receive a communication, titled Making Connections, via our Compass Parent Portal. This weekly update outlines the key learning taking place in your child’s year level and provides a snapshot of what to expect in the classroom.
Within Making Connections, you’ll often find a few optional ‘Learning from Home’ activities. These are designed to complement classroom learning and are ideal for families who are looking for additional ways to engage at home. These tasks, however, are entirely optional, however, as your support through regular reading is more than enough.
Parent Teacher Interviews
We have a number of planned communication events throughout the year. These include the more formal Parent Teacher Interviews that take place in Terms 1 and 3. This time allows the opportunity for teachers and parents to discuss the student’s progress.
Semester Reports
Semester Reports are provided in Terms 2 and 4.
College Newsletter
The weekly College newsletter, Whispers, is published each Thursday and can be accessed via Compass.
This newsletter details all upcoming events for Middle School and the College as a whole, as well as providing information, photographs and reflections of past events. You will also find a wealth of information regarding our Community Engagement Program and the Parents & Friends Association.
College Website
The College website is your go-to source of information, with everything you need easily accessible in one place. It provides general College details as well as specific Junior School information about curriculum, co curricular opportunities, camps, and pastoral care programs. You will also find a wealth of community information, including the Parents & Friends Association.
For everything else you would like to know about Overnewton, and to explore more about Junior School life, we encourage you to visit our College website.
